Jury hears closing arguments in 6-month-long New York body armor fraud trial of 2 former execs

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – A six-month-long trial is nearing an end in New York for two former executives of the nation's leading supplier of body armor to the U.S. military.

David H. Brooks, the founder and former chief executive of DHB Industries, Inc., and Sandra Hatfield, the former chief operating officer, are accused in federal court of falsely inflating the value of the inventory of the company's top product, the Interceptor vest.

Brooks also is accused of looting the company treasury, spending millions on a horse racing business, as well as European vacations and lavish gifts and parties for his family.

Prosecutors said in closing arguments the pair lied to auditors and others about the spending.

Brooks' attorney said his client had permission to make the expenditures. Hatfield's attorney is scheduled to make his case Tuesday.